- Associate Professor, Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
My research in rapid community change is guided by the field of community sociology. This work seeks to better understand, from a sociological perspective, local processes that minimize the negative effects of rapid change while enhancing sustainable livelihoods. A second area of interest includes the topic of human dimensions of natural resources, guided by the fields of natural resource and environmental sociology. Along this line, I seek to understand the role the natural world plays in defining human behavior as well as people's values and actions associated with its management and protection. My work, conducted through quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods in domestic and international settings, sits at the intersection of the above interests and various literatures including community development, amenity migration, tourism, protected areas, natural events, and community health.
- Ph.D. in Rural Sociology, Pennsylvania State University - (State College, Pennsylvania, United States) 2008
Academic Articles47
- Salinas, M., Matarrita-Cascante, D., Salinas, J. L., & Burdine, J. N. (2021). Navigating healthcare systems before and after resettlement: Exploring experiences and recommendations for improvement from the perspectives of a Bhutanese refugee community. Journal of Migration and Health. 4, 100049-100049.
- Matarrita-Cascante, D., & Suess, C. (2020). Natural amenities-driven migration and tourism entrepreneurship: Within business social dynamics conducive to positive social change. Tourism Management. 81, 104140-104140.
- Matarrita-Cascante, D., Lee, J. H., & Nam, J. W. (2020). What elements should be present in any community development initiative? Distinguishing community development from local development. Local Development & Society. 1(2), 95-115.
- Winkler, R. L., & Matarrita-Cascante, D. (2020). Exporting consumption: Lifestyle migration and energy use. Global Environmental Change. 61, 102026-102026.
- Qin, H., Bass, M., Ulrich-Schad, J. D., Matarrita-Cascante, D., Sanders, C., & Bekee, B. (2020). Community, Natural Resources, and Sustainability: Overview of an Interdisciplinary and International Literature. Sustainability. 12(3), 1061-1061.
Chapters4
- Matarrita-Cascante, D. (2014). Accelerated social change: Impacts on community development. Deliberations in Community Development: Balancing on the Edge. 51-62.
- Matarrita-Cascante, D. (2011). Accelerated social change: Impacts on community development. Deliberations in Community Development: Balancing on the Edge. 49-60.
- Gretzel, U., Isacsson, A., Matarrita, D., & Wainio, E. (2011). Teaching Based on TEFI Values: A Case Study. Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism. Prebežac, D., Schott, C., & Sheldon, P. (Eds.), The Tourism Education Futures Initiative Activating Change in Tourism Education. 94-106. Informa UK Limited.
- Krannich, R. S., Luloff, A. E., & Field, D. R. (2011). Population Change and Contrasting Integration, Attachment, and Participation in the New West-Old West. Krannich, R. S., Luloff, A. E., & Field, D. R. (Eds.), Landscape Series. 109-121. Springer Netherlands.
Conference Papers1
- Matarrita-Cascante, D., Edwards, M., Outley, C. W., Clark, H. R., & Wu, Y. (2014). The Role of Community Nurture in Adolescent Interest in College Attendance. Journal of Adolescent Health. 54(2), S20-S20.
- RPTS308 Found Comm & Comm Develop Instructor
- RPTS336 Rec & Tourism Research Instructor
- RPTS426 Tourism Impacts Instructor
- RPTS605 Community Organization Instructor
- RPTS685 Directed Studies Instructor
- Lee, Jae Ho (2018-08). THE INFLUENCE OF EMOTIONAL AND CONDITIONAL FACTORS ON GARDENERS' PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY GARDENS. (Doctoral Dissertation)
- Sene-Harper, Aby Lat Soukabe (2016-12). Livelihood Diversification and Sustainability: Understanding Fishing, Farming and Resource Management in the Senegal River Delta. (Doctoral Dissertation)
- Xu, Ying (2015-12). Incorporating Physical/Natural Related Factors within the Assessment of Community Attachment: Understanding the Contributions of Urban Parks. (Doctoral Dissertation)